Diagnosing which part of my PC is dead!

otsan9 · 27 Feb 2024 at 13:09

Hi all,

I'm trying to diagnose what is wrong with my PC. So the other day, I tried to fire it up. It booted, but gave me a grey "_" that was blinking. The only thing I could do was enter the bios. Then after some twiddling (with the PC itself), it didn't boot. I'd press the button, it'll look like it's starting to boot. But instantly switches off after half a second.

So I thought it could be the PSU or motherboard. I bought both as a replacement. So in changing the PSU, I got the same result. But in changing the motherboard, the PC boots. But there was no display sent to the monitor. And then, I tried the old PSU and it still booted. So I don't think the issue now is the PSU or the motherboard as with the old PSU and motherboard, the PC boots, but it doesn't send display to the monitor. I suspect it could be the GPU, but the GPU fan is working. I see a orange light on my motherboard.

My current specs are:
PSU: EVGA 650 G2 supernova
GPU: Geforce 1660 Super
CPU: Ryzen 3600
Motherboard: Prime B450M-K

The new PSU I bought was: Corsair RM850X, but I've established it's not the PSU
And the new mobo was: MSI B450M PRO VDH, and it doesnt seem to be the mobo either.

Anyone can help me diagnose????

otsan9 · 27 Feb 2024 at 20:49

Little update. Appreciate the replies from you all. I'm seeing something on the monitor. I'll see the ASUS boot up screen, it'll give me that option to DEL to go BIOS. Then it'll take me to a black screen, or like a very dark grey, with a underscore ("_") blinking.

otsan9 · 27 Feb 2024 at 21:29

Could you clarify what you mean by what "drives"

otsan9 · 27 Feb 2024 at 22:11

otsan9 · 28 Feb 2024 at 09:01

otsan9 · 28 Feb 2024 at 09:02

darael said:
My own suspicion is the GPU. You could try gently cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser, then finish off with some isopropyl alcohol.

Failing that, try another GPU.

Will Try this then.

otsan9 · 28 Feb 2024 at 09:02

Tetras said:
One SSD? Does it show up in the BIOS still?

Yes

otsan9 · 28 Feb 2024 at 16:50

I've booted up the PC, I'll be in the BIOS page. I see the SSD. But when booting up it'll take me to a black screen with a grey _ blinking. I'm going to test a USB with windows.

otsan9 · 28 Feb 2024 at 21:16

Yeah. I've seen the SSD in the BIOS, when I try to boot it, same result. Could it be that the SSD has died even though its showing up.

otsan9 · 29 Feb 2024 at 08:22

Yess. Going to try a windows install USB today. Hopefully that might be the problem.

otsan9 · 29 Feb 2024 at 17:51

Ah. Have fixed it today. Issue was with the SSD I believe.

I guess it corrupted so I've had to wipe everything. Something like this has happened before where I've had to wipe the whole computer so it's good that I'm in the habit to have my docs on a cloud etc.